Posts filed under 'Health'
Last Friday we took Anna in for her four-month check-up. We went through all the questions about sleep patterns, feeding schedules and developmental milestones. The doctor thinks she’s doing great! We are supposed to keep an eye on her “Bob Dole” hand, but the doctor doesn’t think it is really a big deal. In fact, Anna’s started to use her left hand more and more lately, so it is probably just a matter of time. She’s accidentally rolled over a couple of times unaided, but never more than once during a tummy-time session. Soon those accidents will turn into intentional movement, I’m sure.
Anna is still big for her age; she’s in the 90th percentile for both height and weight this time. She now weighs in at 15 lbs. 5 1/2 ounces and is 25 inches long! She’s wearing larger 3-month clothing and is starting to wear her 6-month stuff (and even some 6-9 month clothing). Neal swears that she’s finally growing into her cheeks, but I think they are just as chunky as ever!
Anna STILL has a cold, so the doctor thought it best to delay giving her her vaccinations until she is feeling better. She had a somewhat nasty reaction to her first round of shots and we would like to avoid a repeat of that horrible night! The doctor is considering whether or not to hold off on the pertussis (whooping cough) immunization until Anna’s a bit older because she believes it to be the cause of her reaction. I’m torn…there’s an increase in cases of whooping cough in the general population and whooping cough is most dangerous to infants under the age of one. It seems like a no-win situation.
Of course, if she doesn’t get over this damned cold this may all be moot! We’re currently going into the 4th week of sick-Anna. Help! The doctor checked her out last Friday and said that there was no fluid in her lungs. She said it would just take time for the cold to run its course. Last night, between bouts of coughing, she sounded like she had a rattle in her chest when she breathed. I’ve got another call into the doctor today. Let’s hope they can do something for her. I think she’s growing tired of coughing and of me sticking the bulb syringe up her nose; I know I am.
We have some new pictures to post – we just need to find time to do it! We’ll try to make time this week.
July 19th, 2006
They say that children that attend day care are sick more often than those who don’t. Well, we’ve started down that road. Anna has her first cold. She’s started snoring louder than her Grandpa Rex (and that is saying something!). She’s been up for the last two nights coughing and snuffling. Needless to say, I’m very tired. When Anna doesn’t sleep, neither do the parents. I took her to the doctor yesterday because her pediatrician recommended she come in – seeing as this is her first cold and she’s still rather young. They confirmed that she has a good ol’ fashioned cold. They did give us some medication for the symptoms if the cold seems to get worse, and gave us the guidelines for when to bring Anna back if things get too much worse.
I realized that I haven’t posted anything about Anna’s new day care. Things seem to be going well there. She’s in a really good mood when Neal picks her up in the evening; wasted, but in a good mood. They have proclaimed that she is a “talker,” which from personal experience I’d say is true. Neal jokes that we should have named her Brook what with all the babbling she does. Ha ha. She’s becoming familiar with her surroundings and caregivers, and has started to enjoy herself! It has been a lot easier for Mom and Dad, too.
And on a very unrelated note: the sleeping through the night thing…a total fluke. She’s yet to do it again. We still get up at 3:30 or so every night. I guess you could say that I’m used to it now. I’ve learned to deal with fewer hours of sleep and interrupted sleep at that. I won’t cry again until she’s been sleeping through the night for a whole week! 
June 30th, 2006
Anna was one month old yesterday evening. It is incredibly hard for me to believe that so much time has past. I suppose it is probably normal, but I’m having a difficult time remembering life PA (pre-Anna). Currently almost everything I do during the day revolves around taking care of this cute little being! What did I do before? (work, laundry, dishes, to name a few of the things that I used to do but do not do now!)
Anna is growing like a weed! She’s pretty much able to hold her head up on her own, but we still have bouts of the floppy-newborn head. At her 2-week check-up she was 22 inches in length. We were shocked to find out that her cousin Henry is only 24 inches and he’s over 4 months old! As Neal likes to joke, we’re in contact with WNBA recruiters already. I’m anxious to see how much she’s grown by the time we go in for her next doctor’s appointment. One month old brings us to the point where most of her newborn clothing no longer fits! Her 0-3 month clothing just fits and in some cases is getting a little snug. Time for me to go shopping. And for those of you who know me, this is a daunting task.
I’m finally feeling better – not 100%, but decidedly better than before. I have a doctor’s visit coming in the next couple of weeks and hopefully my iron levels will have returned to normal. It is tough being tired and weak all the time – especially with a newborn that doesn’t yet sleep through the night! I think another part of the “feeling better” has to do with my comfort level with Anna. That’s not to say that I understand why she freaks out sometimes and screams bloody murder, but I do understand that those noises she makes while sleeping aren’t anything to worry about, and that the scrunched up face she makes usually indicates that a diaper change is in my future. I guess you could say we’re getting to know one another.
Max is looking skinny these days. We think it is the stress – that or he’s just shedding his winter coat. I like to think it is the latter. He’s supremely interested in Anna and enjoys sniffing her head and car-carrier, but when she starts crying he seeks out quiet hiding places in the basement. He’s certainly missing all the attention he used to get and has begun acting like a small child who misbehaves only to have someone pay attention to him. I often feel like a broken record when it comes to Max – “no, no, no.” We have one chair that will never be the same because he’s taken to scratching the crap out of it – especially in our presence. Luckily the weather is warming up so that we can take Max outside on his lead. This tends to calm the savage beast (actually it wears him out what with all the birds to watch and grass to eat).
So as you can see, life here at the Enssle/Hess house is going well. We’re all a little sleep-deprived (including Max), but enjoying ourselves. Hopefully we’ll have some new pictures soon. I need to upload them from the camera.
April 13th, 2006
Yesterday we took Anna to the doctor’s for her second week checkup. So far so good — she’s a healthy little kid. Our goal for week two was to make sure she made it back to her birth weight, and on Friday she tipped the scales at 8 lbs. 4 oz. (And yes, she seems to carry most of that weight in her cheeks). She’s also grown another inch, putting her at 22 inches long. We’ll be starting talks with the WNBA soon.
Tara’s making progress as well, though she’s still not quite out of the woods as far as the anemia is concerned. We’ll probably try to get her in for a checkup here in the near future, just to make sure her iron levels are getting back to normal.
April 1st, 2006
Our nephew Ben Steadman passed away peacefully this morning in the arms of his mother and father, a little after 7:00am. At six years old he was one of the most sensitive, charming, and courageous people I’ve ever had the chance to know.
We’ll be spending time with our family over the next few days. We’ll post information about the memorial service as soon as we know more.
Update: A memorial service and reception for Ben will be held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Longmont on Tuesday, April 4th at 2:00pm in the afternoon. The viewing starts at 12:30pm. All are welcome. Please check here or on the Steadman family blog for more detailed information in the coming days.
Update: Dean posted details about the memorial service.
March 29th, 2006
Yesterday morning Dean called me to say that things looked pretty bad for Ben, and that we should consider coming over soon to say goodbye. Before we could get ourselves moving, however, my aunt Peg called to say that the nurses thought things were a little too hectic at the house and that all the congregated family were going to leave to give Ben and Dean and Melinda some peace — could they come over and hang out at our house?
We were sorry to not be able to see Ben, but happy to be able to open our doors and provide a refuge for my aunt and my cousins. We had some lunch and talked a little about our fears for Ben and his parents. But after a few hours with no news folks decided to retire to their own homes, to their own personal waiting.
Debbie had promised to make a pot roast for Dean and Melinda, and later in the evening I took the food over to their house, unannounced. They welcomed me into their darkened livingroom where Ben and some of the rest of the family were lying on the couch, everyone listening to the silence and warmth.
Ben lay quiet and motionless, asleep. I hugged Dean, and kissed Ben on the cheek with a whispered goodbye to a boy who’s taught us so much about courage in the short time he’s been with us.
We will miss you Ben.
March 29th, 2006
I just heard from my cousin Dean about twenty minutes ago. For the past few days our nephew Ben’s been extremely tired, has had terrible, unrelenting headaches, and hasn’t been able to keep food down. The went to the hospital yesterday and have learned that Ben’s tumor has grown by more than 50% in the last three weeks. The doctors have told them to start planning in terms of days, not weeks.
Ben’s home again now, and Hospice will be starting to make regular visits to ensure that Ben’s in as little pain as possible.
Here’s an excerpt from Dean in the Steadman’s blog:
We’re preparing Ben and Madie with the information that they need to face the events to come. I have no idea exactly what that means, but I know in my heart that Ben will be free from his cancer and pain. I have faith in an existence beyond our understanding and find comfort with Ben knowing more about it than I do. I am blessed to have had this time to learn from him.
I still don’t understand how this could happen to such a wonderful family. Ben, Madie, Dean, and Melinda — you are all in our prayers.
March 27th, 2006
Little Anna is one week old today! She had her first doctor’s visit since leaving the hospital, and she’s been given a clean bill of health. She’s gaining weight (she’s up to a whopping 7 lbs. 10 oz. after having dropped to 7 lbs. 7 oz. upon her departure from the hospital), and the jaundice has been declared a non-issue. So she’s a healthy kid!
Tara got a checkup too, and the doctor agrees that the headache is most likely related to her anemia. More iron, more water, and more rest should do the trick over the next few days.
March 22nd, 2006
I’ve posted a few more photos of wee Anna. Check out the photos page where she’s got her very own album.
And everyone’s doing well. Anna’s been sleeping and eating well, and her jaundice seems to be clearing up nicely. She’ll go for her first doctor’s visit tomorrow, so watch for an update sometime thereafter.
Tara’s doing better too. Her headache is almost gone and so she’s feeling better about life in general. It’s hard when bending over to pick up your baby makes you woozy, but I think she’s over the worst of it.
March 21st, 2006
Actually, it’s not that bad, really. It’s just a little tough getting used to sleeping in 2 to 3 hour blocks, in between feedings (Mom’s job) and diaper changes (Dad’s job).
Anna’s doing very well. She started off with a little jaundice, but it looks like that’s starting to clear up all on its own. Her head was also very sore initially from the whole birthing ordeal, but that’s looking better with every passing hour. She’s nursing well, sleeping lots, and pooping with adequate frequency. (Sorry, but I guess it’s things like that that you start obsessing about when you’re a dad). Overall, she seems like a fairly content little kid so far — though naturally we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop!
Tara’s doing well also. We spent Saturday night back in the hospital emergency room because by that point Tara had had a splitting headache for more than 48 hours straight. We left with no clear diagnosis beyond probable dehydration and anemia, so she’s been slamming the iron supplements and drinking gallons of water. Right now she’s avoiding the Percocet they gave us, for obvious reasons. Things seem to be getting better, but even so the pain hasn’t cleared up entirely, so we’ll be paying close attention.
Max seems a little nervous, and maybe even a little depressed, but he’s generally handling the invasion well. Meanwhile, Grandma Debbie’s been doing a bang-up job of helping us through all this — cooking, cleaning, and offering some great advice and perspective on the situation.
More photos to come soon!
March 20th, 2006
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